Railway-switch



C. F. KRESS, Jr'.`

RAILWAY SWITCH.

Patented Aug. 24, 1897.

(No Model.)

A W/TNESSES': W 6, JW. n

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL F. KRESS, JR., OF JOHNSTOIVN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOTHE JOHNSON COMPANY, OF LORAIN, OHIO.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,581, dated August 24, 189'?.

Application filed J'une 3, 1897. Serial No. 639,361. (No model.)

To all, lull/011:, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL F. KRESS, Jr., of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to railway-switches of that type which is provided with a lmovable point-rail or tongue normally set for one of the diverging tracks by means of a suitable spring device, and has for its object the provision of means for readily adjusting the spring device for either position of the switchtongue.

With this object in view my invention consists in the improved arrangement, construction, and combination to be hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of portions of my improved switch. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof, and Fig. 3 is similar section showing the spring devices adjusted to act in a direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows my split collar D.

A is the tongue of the switch, having the downwardly-projecting member A', which is engaged by the head ofthe screw-bolt C. This bolt passes through A' and through an orifice in the box B, which is preferably anV iron casting secured to the switch structure. Referring more particularly to` Fig. 2, one end of the compression-spring E engages the side of the boX nearest the switch, the circular iange b forming'a seat therefor. YThe other end of the spring engages the washer D and encircles the truncated portion thereof. The collar l) is held in place about the bolt C by means of the spring and is prevented from moving along the bolt by thejainnuts F F. In this position it is clear that the tendency of the spring is to force the collar away from the switch structure, bringing with it the tongue A and holding said tongue normally in the position shown in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to adjust the device so that it will take the position shown in Fig. 3, the Ajam-nuts F F are moved away from the collar, so as to release thev latter from the spring, the collar is separated and removed from the bolt, the jam-nuts F F are then moved along the bolt to the other side of the spring, and the collar is again inserted with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3. In

the boss b on the farther side of the box.

The jam-nuts G G transfer the thrust of the spring by means of the tube I-I to the tongue, and the latter is held normally in the position shown in Fig. 3. It will be observed that all the manipulation which has just been referred to may be done by merely raising the cover B from the box and without any necessity of removing` any of the road-bed from about the structure, for each of the parts can be reached from within the box. The bolt C may be removed, if desired, by way of the opening O. Itis clear that I am not limited to the eX- act details which I have shown and described nor to the use of my invention upon the exact type of switch shown. Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is- A l. In a spring-switch, the combination of two rigid spring-seats, a spring, a rod, and means for compressing said spring between a movable spring-seat carried by the rod and either of the rigid seats.

2. In a'spring-switch, the combination of a spring, a rod connected with the tongue of the switch, a split collar and means for causingeither end o f the spring to engage the collar and act to set the tongue in the desired position.

3. In a spring-switch, the combination of Vthe thrust-rod connected with the switchtongue, a compression-spring,- a split collar and means for securing it at desired positions upon the thrust-rod to aord a seat for the spring, and a pair of rigid spring-seats, either of which may be used inconjunction with the spring and collar.

4.1m a spring-switch, the reversible split collar D substantially for the purpose set forth. v

5. In a spring-switch, in combination, the tongue A, the box B, the screw-bolt C, the split collar D, the spring E, and jam-nuts F and G, cooperating substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.

In testimony whereof I. have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL F. KRESS, JR. Witnesses:

RICHARD EYRE, H. W. SMITH.

IOO 

